Reviews
Artist:Richard Turgeon Album: Life Of The Party
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: https://www.richardturgeon.com/
Richard Turgeon describes himself as a "suburban dad who writes, performs, and produces original rock songs. I play most of the instruments myself." With a catalogue of 10 releases on Bandcamp he is well not the stride of a decent music career. 11 tracks of "Turgeon's unique spin on everything from relationships to urban decay and mortality", might lead you to expect depressing Indie, or folk rock, so the upbeat power pop of All Alone is a surprise. When second song You've Moved On arrives you know what is happening and are paying attention to the songwriting, which is top notch.
This sounds like a band, not something built up an instrument at a time, and the guitar solo on You've Moved On alerts us to the fact that Turgeon has his chops well in place. And the quality power pop just keeps coming. The world of Power Pop seems to have stayed off the fashion radar for a long time, with its own press, blogs, and scene. This is a shame as there is so much great music being produced there, and Richard Turgeon is top of the tree, with Shindig, International Pop Overthrow, and Powerpopaholic all putting him on best of year lists consistently.
Friend Zone's harmonies add a classic 60s/70s feel to his list of accomplishments. Our Fair City, the song about urban decay, still manages to be upbeat in a Green Day style. Along with others in a similar world, like Canadian Power Pop purveyor, Pennan Brae Turgeon has a parallel career in Screenplays and film. The story telling of much of this sort of music must lend itself to the style of a screenwriter, as like Brae he is consistently producing great albums.
I could easily keep telling you about the wonderfulness of each song, but instead I'll issue a blanket recommendation for the album, and indeed his earlier work which is of the same consistent level of wiring, singing and performance. Have a listen to his 2 covers albums which have some interesting choices as well as Power Pop standards.
Tim Martin
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Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Pirate is the current session and features 16 fantastic artists check out the website to find out more about them and download your copy
www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk for all the artist information.